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shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
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Dec 1, 2014, 8:59 am

I play Powerball and Lucky for Life and occasionally Mass Cash. These are all draw games. What I find so frustrating is how often I will be one off from a number. For instance on Saturdays Powerball draw I had 4 numbers that were off by one number (and with Powerball I always play with the Powerplay option) and I find that many times when I check my numbers for Lucky For Life and even Mass Cash it often is the same thing. I'm sure many people have had the same thing happen but it's soooo frustrating. I almost feel like the lottery is dangling this in front of me to keep playing and maybe saying one of these days I will win. Have many of you experienced the same?
RedStang

NY
United States
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January 21, 2012
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Dec 1, 2014, 10:10 am

This has happened so many times I'm use to it. Amazing how you can choose 13/15 and 14/16 come out. It's like they know what numbers everyone is playing.
savagegoose

adelaide sa
Australia
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April 11, 2006
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Dec 1, 2014, 10:34 am

depending on how many numbers are drawn you are 2x 4x 8x 16x 32x 64x more likely to get one off the number you drew.

for instance twice every number that was drawn for was 1 off my picked numbers except 1, twice, in my memory of checking numbers

" Still swinging, still missing "
2014 = -1016; 2015= -1409; 2016 = -1171; 2017 = -1257 ; 2018 = - 1380 = TOT = - 6233

keno historic = -2291 ; 2015= -603; 2016= -424; 2017 =-427; 2018= -223 TOT = -3968

:
maringoman

Massachusetts
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April 14, 2006
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Dec 1, 2014, 10:55 am

There is a strategy that I saw being floated here in LP that can help you fix that. It's the +1 -1 or is it -1 +1? I'd advice you to just toss the losing tickets and forget about em or you'll find yourself trying to buy more and more lines to cover possibilities.

That money's gone fo ever
Stack47

Kentucky
United States
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February 14, 2006
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Dec 1, 2014, 12:59 pm

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Dec 1, 2014
I play Powerball and Lucky for Life and occasionally Mass Cash. These are all draw games. What I find so frustrating is how often I will be one off from a number. For instance on Saturdays Powerball draw I had 4 numbers that were off by one number (and with Powerball I always play with the Powerplay option) and I find that many times when I check my numbers for Lucky For Life and even Mass Cash it often is the same thing. I'm sure many people have had the same thing happen but it's soooo frustrating. I almost feel like the lottery is dangling this in front of me to keep playing and maybe saying one of these days I will win. Have many of you experienced the same?

Any five number combo with the lowest number being 2 or higher, there is a potential ten numbers that could be one off. If you play five lines, there is a possible 50 numbers being one off. What you're seeing is basic math probability and used by many pick-3 system players.
noise-gate

* In hot pursuit of $ *

White Shores- California
United States
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December 12, 2012
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Dec 1, 2014, 3:29 pm

In actuality Shy- the " closest" anyone's numbers come to the winning ones are while they are spinning around - once the balls are coughed up, all bets are off... but l hear what you saying.

Keep your chin up & hang in there, all the other players are!

* Voice of Reason *

* People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it- George Bernard Shaw.
Drenick1

USA
United States
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February 25, 2014
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Dec 1, 2014, 4:59 pm

I'm lucky just to hit one or two numbers. Even though my success rate is extremely low, I will keep on playing on different occasions as a couple tickets here and there does provide a backdrop for me to dream.
shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 2:21 am

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Dec 1, 2014
This has happened so many times I'm use to it. Amazing how you can choose 13/15 and 14/16 come out. It's like they know what numbers everyone is playing.

Hi RedStang,

It seems like you can relate since this has happened to you as well.
shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 2:34 am

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Dec 1, 2014
There is a strategy that I saw being floated here in LP that can help you fix that. It's the +1 -1 or is it -1 +1? I'd advice you to just toss the losing tickets and forget about em or you'll find yourself trying to buy more and more lines to cover possibilities.

Hi maringoman,

A few years ago I would occasionally pick my own numbers and buy 5 tickets at a time when the jackpot for PB was very high. What would happen is I would get all 5 numbers but they would be on all different lines instead of being just on one ticket. Since it's so hard to even win a 2nd place prize, I now always buy just the 1 ticket to keep myself in the game and save money. I always toss my losing tickets. Just feel like it's often that I will get numbers that are one off and that makes me feel like I'm getting closer, in reality it's still a losing ticket.
shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 2:36 am

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Dec 1, 2014
Any five number combo with the lowest number being 2 or higher, there is a potential ten numbers that could be one off. If you play five lines, there is a possible 50 numbers being one off. What you're seeing is basic math probability and used by many pick-3 system players.

Hi Stack47,

I can understand it happening if I bought five lines as you say but I only buy one line.
shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 2:42 am

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Dec 1, 2014
In actuality Shy- the " closest" anyone's numbers come to the winning ones are while they are spinning around - once the balls are coughed up, all bets are off... but l hear what you saying.

Keep your chin up & hang in there, all the other players are!

Hi noise-gate,

I like your analogy it rings true. As you say I will keep my chin up and keep hanging on. This past year with spending less on the lottery I feel much more positive in life (even though my personal and work life haven't changed for the better).
shyguitar

United States
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February 1, 2012
530 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 2:46 am

Quote: Originally posted by Drenick1 on Dec 1, 2014
I'm lucky just to hit one or two numbers. Even though my success rate is extremely low, I will keep on playing on different occasions as a couple tickets here and there does provide a backdrop for me to dream.

Hi Drenick1,

It souds like you are playing smart and not spending too much money, yet it still allows you to have your dream of winning someday. Good luck.
RJOh

100

mid-Ohio
United States
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March 24, 2001
20,272 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 4:00 pm

Quote: Originally posted by Stack47 on Dec 1, 2014
Any five number combo with the lowest number being 2 or higher, there is a potential ten numbers that could be one off. If you play five lines, there is a possible 50 numbers being one off. What you're seeing is basic math probability and used by many pick-3 system players.

Is there a way to figure that basic math probability? If so the frustrating factors might be avoided.

* you don't need to buy every combination, just the winning ones *
weshar75

Mcminnville, Oregon
United States
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December 13, 2003
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Dec 2, 2014, 5:44 pm

I hear what you are saying shyguitar. On my state lotto tickets that I get I can have like one or two numbers right and then be one off on three other numbers. Then sometimes I will be like two numbers on the bottom row and three numbers one off and then the sixth number will be on the top row. I just stare at the ticket and say to myself next time is when I will get them all. It happened to me last week twice in two drawings so it does blow big time. But I think to myself it was not meant to be and on to the next ticket.-weshar75
maximumfun

United States
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March 16, 2012
3,733 Posts
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Dec 2, 2014, 6:47 pm

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Dec 1, 2014
In actuality Shy- the " closest" anyone's numbers come to the winning ones are while they are spinning around - once the balls are coughed up, all bets are off... but l hear what you saying.

Keep your chin up & hang in there, all the other players are!

I love that! So basically I am a winner each game... up until the balls cough. :)